Among the allegations are veterinary advice and treatment not being sought for guinea pigs suffering skin complaints and excessively thin rat and corn snakes, birds being fed off the floor of their aviaries posing a risk of disease transmission, insufficient lighting for an iguana and a dead animal placed in a frozen food freezer.

Other charges include broken water bottles for tamarins, goats and pigs having no access to a dry living area, water bottles for reptiles and rabbits being heavily contaminated with algal scum and rabbit hutches being covered with wet sheets so there was insufficient natural lighting and ventilation.

Other charges relate to how records were kept.

All of the 16 sixteen charges against both women relate to an inspection of Pets Corner on December 19 by Waveney District Council, which is responsible for processing and monitoring zoo licences and is prosecuting its owners.

Each charge faces a maximum fine of £2,500.

Carney and Holness, whose address was given as Pets Corner, Bridge Road, denied all the charges against them yesterday at Lowestoft Magistrates’ Court.

Their case was adjourned until August 16 when a date is expected to be set for their trial, which will be held at the magistrates court.